New Years Postcards (Japanese Nengajo)

On January 1 in Japan, postmen deliver stacks of specially postmarked, beautiful postcards with greetings for the new year. They are called 'nengajo' in Japanese and families spend lots of creative energy to make or purchase postcards that reflect their style. Japan Post even sells preprinted nengajo with special lottery stamps!

Although we can't guarantee January first delivery or offer a lottery, let's swap New Years greeting postcards.

Some Design Notes for Nengajo

• 2009 is Year of the Ox; many nengajo use the year animal as a design element
• Some families create photo collages or write mini newsletters with annual highlights (much like the Christmas letter, but shorter!)
• あけましておめでとうございます　is "Happy New Year" in Japanese.
• Did you know that Print Gocco was made to print nengajo?
• Red, silver, and gold are traditional colors for nengajo, but anything goes.
• Seasonal elements are pine, bamboo and plum blossoms
• Manga characters and mascots are popular, too.
• Google "2009 年賀状" for lots of ideas and images
• Any New Year themed postcard is great; it doesn't have to be Japanese. :-)

Swap Details - You will have 10 partners. - Nengajo may be handmade or purchased. - You may use an envelope or send naked. - International, of course! - Newbies welcome. Flakers frowned upon.

Please comment if you have any questions. Happy New Year!